October was World Menopause Awareness Month. This year, the International Menopause Society designated Cardiovascular Disease as the theme for World Menopause Day on Wednesday, October 18th.
Heart Disease remains the number one killer of women in the U.S. Although menopause does not cause heart disease, according to the American Heart Association (AHA), particular risk factors increase around menopause. Stressors like hot flashes, night sweats, depression, and sleep disturbances have all been linked to increased risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
A 2020 survey by the American Heart Association (AHA) found that even though heart disease is the leading cause of death among women, awareness and understanding among women is declining.
The survey found that awareness declined from 2009 to 2019, particularly among Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black women and younger women. This is significant because primary prevention may be most effective among these groups.
Due to a wide range of factors, including genetics, lifestyle, and socioeconomic status, being a woman of color in the U.S. also correlates with increased risk or severity of heart diseases:
– Only 1 in 3 Hispanic women know that heart disease is among their primary killers.
Cardiovascular diseases kill approximately 50,000 Black women in the U.S. each year. Of these women aged 20 years and older, almost half have heart diseases.
– South Asian Americans face disproportionately higher risks of cardiovascular disease.
Regarding cardiovascular diseases, your age and when you reach menopause matter – along with the cause and timing. Women who experience premature, early onset, or surgical menopause before the age of natural menopause are at significantly higher risk of heart disease.
Poor lifestyle habits, like a diet high in fat, lack of physical exercise, excessive drinking, and smoking, can compound over the years, making you more vulnerable to cardiovascular disease. By incorporating healthy modifications to your lifestyle and making a plan with your health provider, you can be proactive about maintaining your heart health as you transition through menopause and in the years beyond.
October 2023